Floating pool cover structure

ABSTRACT

A floating pool cover structure for use in protecting swimming pools including a plurality of at least three angularly spaced legs having height adjusting means provided therein, a plurality of flotation blocks each of which adjustably receives a leg therein, a cable connected to each leg above its associated flotation block, said cable serving the dual purpose of maintaining the height adjustment of each leg and also in maintaining the spacing between the plurality of flotation blocks and a top assembly having sockets in which to receive the top of the spaced legs. A plurality of support lines extend from the top assembly to the pool edge and sufficient cover support lines are employed to fully support a top cover which extends from the top assembly and over the pool edge to prevent the entrance of water or debris into the pool during all periods of use.

United States Patent Bishop 1 1 Nov. 6, 1973 1 i FLOATING POOL COVER STRUCTURE Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis [76] Inventor: John R. Bishop, 223-27 Arch St., SP'Vak Philadelphia, Pa. 19106 [57] ABSTRACT [22] Flled' June 1972 A floating pool cover structure for use in protecting 21] A 1. No.: 266,080 swimmin ools including a luralit of at least three PP g P P y angularly spaced legs having height adjusting means provided therein, a plurality of flotation blocks each of which adjustably receives a leg therein, a cable con- Field "4/172 l72l2 I72 1 1 nected to each leg above its associated flotation block, l said cable serving the dual purpose of maintaining the height adjustment of each leg and also in maintaining the spacing between the plurality of flotation blocks [56] References Cited and a top assembly having sockets in which to receive UNITED STATES PATENTS the top of the spaced legs. A plurality of support lines 3,008,148 11/1961 Vierling 4/172.12 extend from the'top assembly to the pool edge and suf- 3,366,977 2/1968 Koehlel ficient cover support lines are employed to fully sup- 3475768 H969 F 4/172-l2 port a top cover which extends from the top assembly $522 and over the pool edge to prevent the entrance of water v y i 3,683,427 8/1972 Burkholz et al. 4 172.12 or debr's the pool perods Of 10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED NOV 8 I973 SHEET 10F 2 'FIG.2

FLOATING POOL COVER STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of swimming pool equipment, and more particularly, is directed to a device suitable for Winterizing an exterior pool.

The proper maintenance and protection of swimming pools during the winter months in northern climates has always proved to be a problem to swimming pool owners. Some owners have followed the policy of emptying the pool completely of water during the winter to thereby avoid the difficulties and possible damage caused by expansion forces generated by the freezing of the water. This procedure has generally proved unsatisfactory because solving of the one problem immediately gave rise to another. In a case of underground pools, the removal of the water from the interior of the pool served to create unusual stresses in the walls of the pool caused by the lateral forces of the adjacent earth acting inwardly against the swimming pool vertical surfaces. With water in the pool, such stresses would normally be counterbalanced by the forces generated by the retained water. However, removal of the water from the pool to prevent freezing would also remove the beneficial effect of the water forces which normally act outwardly. The unbalanced forces of the weight of earth pressing against the exterior of the pool walls in many cases were sufficient to cause cracking, or buckling or other structural damage.

ln'the case of above ground pools, other owners have attempted to solve the problem of freezing by allowing the water to remain in the pools throughout the year. During the winter months, logs or flotation devices such as exemplified in US. Pat. No. 3,050,750 were placed in the pool and allowed to float upon the surface of the water. The flotation devices tended to retard the formation of ice upon the water surface of the swimming pool and further acted to absorb compressive forces to thereby prevent damage to the walls of the pool due to the expansion of ice against the sides. Such devices had the drawback of permitting dirt, snow, leaves and other foreign material to fall upon the surface of the water to thereby contaminate the same and to create generally unsanitary conditions.

Other workers in the art have attempted to protect the swimming pools during the off-season months by providing covers of vinyl, canvas or similar materials which generally were floated directly upon the surface of the water itself. One such device is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,528,110. Other workers have attempted to provide covers in conjunction with frames to support the covers above the swimming pool surface. US. Pat. No. 3,063,062 discloses one such device. However, all of the prior art patents which show the combination of a cover and ridged frame were all directed to the below ground type of pool and such devices could not be adapted for use in conjunction with the popular, above ground, portable type pool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to swimming pool protection devices, and more particularly, is directed to a flotation type of frame and cover assembly capable of protecting the pool structural members from damage caused by the formation of ice and further, capable of preventing the entrance of foreign matter into the pool.

The present invention includes a plurality of at least three corrosion resistant legs which are predrilled to furnish several different positionings for varying the height of the cover upon installation. A styrofoam or other buoyant material flotation member is provided for each leg. The member contains an opening through which each leg inserts and vertically adjusts. A cable is threaded through each leg at the desired height and above its associated flotation block both to prevent the flotation members from spreading apart and further to stabilize the position of the legs relative to the blocks.

The legs converge upwardly and are secured within a molded plastic top assembly wherein they may be bolted for permanent installation. A plurality of cover support lines extend from the top assembly and are secured to the swimming pool edge to thereby create an umbrella like, floating framework which is capable of supporting a vinyl or other waterproof covering.

The floating structure including the cover support lines provides an even slope from the top assembly to the pool edge to allow the cover to drain properly over the edge of the pool to thereby prevent contamination of pool water or damage to the cover. The height of the structure is adjustable to allow the water level, in the pool to be lowered to prevent freezing in the skimmer, within inlets, etc. without sacrificing cover height.

Preferably a solid vinyl cover which may be shaped to conform to the configuration of the floating structure and the pool in well known manner is applied over the top of the top assembly and is supported by the various cover support lines. The peripheral edges of the cover may be tied to the exterior of the pool sidewalls in any suitable manner to secure the cover in position to prevent wind damage and possible pool contamination.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved floating pool cover structure of the type set forth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel floating pool cover structure which incorporates a plurality of flotation members and a plurality of upwardly joined support legs to carry a swimming pool cover above the surface of the pool.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel floating pool cover structure which incorporates at least three upwardly joined legs, a flotation member for each leg and means to adjust the height of each leg relative to its associated flotation member.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel floating pool cover structure which includes at least three flotation members, at least three legs which are individually adjustably supported by a flotation member, the said legs joining in a top assembly to form a tent like structure and a plurality of guide lines extending from the top assembly to the edges of the pool to form spaced supp'orts to receive a swimming pool cover thereon.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel floating pool cover structure including flotation members and structural supports which are vertically adjustable relative to the flotation members and suitable guides suspended from the supports to render the structure adjustable in height and suitable to fit any size pool.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel floating pool cover structure that is inexpensive in manufacture, easy in assembly and trouble free when in use.

Other objects and a further understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an above ground pool protected with a floating pool cover structure in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and partially broken away to expose details of interior construction.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, side elevational view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, and partially broken away to disclose details of interior construction.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the structural members of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, side elevational view of a flotation member taken along line 55 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the top assembly taken along line 66 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of my invention selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, I show in FIG. 1 a swimming pool 10 of the above ground portable type which is protected by a flotation pool cover structure in accordance with the present invention and which is generally designated 12. I

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a plurality of at least three flotation members l4, 16 18 position within the swimming pool 10 and float upon the surface 20 of the water 22. Preferably, styrofoam blocks of suitable size and thickness are employed for this purpose. Each flotation member l4, l6, 18 is angularly drilled or other wise formed to provide an inclined opening 24 (FIG. 5) to slidingly receive a support leg 26, 28, 30 therein. The support legs should be fabricated of lightweight, strong, noncorrosive material suitable to resist the effects of both the forces of wind and the corrosive action of water. 1 have found one inch aluminum tubing to be satisfactory-for this purpose.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower end 32 of each support leg 26, 28, 30 is drilled or otherwise treated to provide a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes 34 which diametrically pierce each support leg for both height adjusting and position adjusting purposes as hereinafter more fully'set forth. A washer 36 rests upon the top surface 37 of each flotation member l4, 16, 18 about the periphery of the inclined opening 24 to distribute the pressures imposed by the weight of the support leg itself and that of the swimming pool cover 38.

the top surface. In this manner, downward forces which Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, it will be observed that each support leg 26, 28, 30 terminates upwardly at the top assembly 40 which preferably is molded of suitable strong, flexible plastic material such as polyethylene. The top assembly 40 is fabricated to provide a plurality of angularly-spaced sockets 42, 44, 46 to receive the upper ends 48, 50, 52 of the respective support legs 26, 28, 30. Each socket 42, 44, 46 and the associated upper end of each leg is provided with an opening 54 which respectively align when the upper ends 48, 50, 52 each fully seats within its cooperating socket 42, 44, 46 to receive conventional bolts 56 therein to secure the structure in position in well known manner. Preferably, wing nuts (not shown) are used in conjunction with the bolts 56 to facilitate the installation without requiring the need for any special tools. If desired, the sockets 42, 44, 46 and the upper ends 48, 50, 52 can be configured as necessary to key together for ease and alignment of the respective openings 54 prior to insertion of the bolts. For example, an obround or rectangular cross-section configuration of cooperating dimensions could be employed for the sockets and the upper ends of the support legs 26, 28, 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, a cable 58 secures the support legs 26, 28, 30 together by inserting through similarly longitudinally positioned holes 34 on each leg. The flotation members 14, l6, 18 are equidistaly spaced about the periphery of the pool and the cable 58 joins each leg 26, 28, 30 to thereby prevent relative movement of flotation members after completion of the assembly. If desired, the cable may be knotted or otherwise secured on either side of the holes 34 of each support leg to thereby prevent movement of a leg relative to the cable after completion of the installation. In the case ofa floating pool device 12 incorporating three support legs 26, 28, 30 as illustrated, the plas' tic cable 58 should be adjusted so that the legs position in angular relationship of one hundred and twenty degrees apart. If additional legs are employed, the angular spacing between the legs should be divided as equally as reasonably possible to equalize the support load among the legs.

In order to use the present invention, each support leg 26, 28, 30 should be inserted into the inclined opening 24 of its associated flotation member 14, 16, 18. The upper end 48, 50, 52 of each leg should then be in serted into its respective associated socket 42, 44, 46 of the top assembly 40 and should be secured in position by employing the bolts 56. The desired height of the device should then be determined and the plastic cable 58 is then inserted through similar, longitudinally aligned holes 34 on each leg 26, 28, 30 above the top surface 37 of each flotation member 14, 16, 18. A washer 36 rests upon the top surface 37 of the flotation members and is interposedbetween the cable 58 and may be imposed on the top surface 37 of the flotation members by the cable 58 will first be impressed upon the washer 36 which acts to circonferentially distribute the load about the inclined opening 24. It will be appreciated that the height of the top assembly 40 above the water surface 20 may readily be varied by simply emend thereof to the periphery of the top assembly 40 and at the other end thereof to a structural member 72 of the swimming pool in any suitable well known manner, such as by Knotting. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover support lines 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 are pulled directly over the top peripheral structural member 74 of the swimming pool 10 to create an umbrellalike, floating framework over which the cover 38 can be placed. Preferably, the cover support lines are fabricated of polypropylene braided plastic material to provide suitable strength and resistance to exterior weather conditions. After the various cover support lines have been secured in position, the swimming pool cover 38 is then applied over the top assembly 40 and over the cover support lines so that the peripheral edge 76 of the cover 38 hangs over the top structural member 74 of the pool. If desired, suitable ties 78 may be employed to secure the bottom edge 76 of the cover 38 to the upright structural members 72 of the swimming pool 10, both to prevent the entrance of water into the pool and also to prevent the cover 38 from being dislodged by wind forces after installation. The swimming pool cover 38 is preferably fabricated of vinyl, opaque plastic material which may be configured to conform to the diameter of the pool and the shape of the flotation pool device 12 in accordance with well known vinyl plastic fabricating techniques. It will be appreciated that the level of the water 22 may be adjusted as necessary to prevent freezing in skimmers, inlets, etc., (not shown) without sacrificing cover height, simply by pushing the support legs 26, 28, upwardly relative to the associated flotation members 14, 16, 18 and then inserting the plastic cable 58 through suitable holes 34 to thereby maintain the height of the top assembly in the position desired.

1 claim:

1. In a floating pool cover structure for protecting a swimming pool having enclosing sidewalls and water retained within the sidewalls, the combination of A. a plurality of flotation members of buoyant material,

I. said flotation members floating upon the surface of the water,

2. said flotation members each having a top surface;

B. a support leg associated with each said flotation member, 1. said support legs each being of elongate, rigid construction and having a top and a bottom;

C. support means to support the tops of the support legs above the surface of the water;

D. top assembly means receiving and securing the tops of the support legs;

E. a plurality of cover support lines extending from the top assembly means to the sidewalls of the pool; and

F. a waterproof cover carried by the assembly means and the cover support lines,

1. said cover extending over the top assembly means and the sidewalls of the pool to prevent the entrance of foreign material into the said water.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein each support leg is provided with longitudinal adjustment means to permit longitudinal position adjustment of each leg relative to its associated flotation member.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein each flotation member is provided with an opening and wherein the associated support leg is adjustably positioned in the said opening.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the opening is cylindrical in configuration and has a central axis, the said central axis being angularly inclined from the vertical.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the support means include an elongate cable which interconnects the said support legs.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the support leg longitudinal position adjustment means include a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes and wherein the cable inserts into one of the holes.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the cable inserts into the holes above the top surface of the flotation member, the said cable preventing relative downward movement of each support leg relative to its associated flotation member by resting upon the top surface of the flotation member.

8. The invention of claim 7 and a washer resting upon the top surface of the flotation member beneath the cable, said washer surrounding the flotation member opening, whereby cable forces resulting from the weight of the support legs and the cover may be distributed about the top surface of the flotation member.

9. The invention of claim 5 wherein means are included to prevent movement of the support legs relative to the cable.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein the cable also serves to equidistantly position the flotation members about the periphery of the pool. 

1. In a floating pool cover structure for protecting a swimming pool having enclosing sidewalls and water retained within the sidewalls, the combination of A. a plurality of flotation members of buoyant material,
 1. said flotation members floating upon the surface of the water,
 2. said flotation members each having a top surface; B. a support leg associated with each said flotation member,
 1. said support legs each being of elongate, rigid construction and having a top and a bottom; C. support means to support the tops of the support legs above the surface of the water; D. top assembly means receiving and securing the tops of the support legs; E. a plurality of cover support lines extending from the top assembly means to the sidewalls of the pool; and F. a waterproof cover carried by the assembly means and the cover support lines,
 1. said cover extending over the top assembly means and the sidewalls of the pool to prevent the entrance of foreign material into the said water.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein each support leg is provided with longitudinal adjustment means to permit longitudinal position adjustment of each leg relative to its associated flotation member.
 2. said flotation members each having a top surface; B. a support leg associated with each said flotation member,
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein each flotation member is provided with an opening and wherein the associated support leg is adjustably positioned in the said opening.
 4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the opening is cylindrical in configuration and has a central axis, the said central axis being angularly inclined from the vertical.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the support means include an elongate cable which interconnects the said support legs.
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the support leg longitudinal position adjustment means include a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes and wherein the cable inserts into one of the holes.
 7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the cable inserts into the holes above the top surface of the flotation member, the said cable preventing relative downward movement of each support leg relative to its associated flotation member by resting upon the top surface of the flotation member.
 8. The invention of claim 7 and a washer resting upon the top surface of the flotation member beneath the cable, said washer surrounding the flotation member opening, whereby cable forces resulting from the weight of the support legs and the cover may be distributed about the top surface of the flotation member.
 9. The invention of claim 5 wherein means are included to prevent movement of the support legs relative to the cable.
 10. The invention of claim 9 wherein the cable also serves to equidistantly position the flotation members about the periphery of the pool. 